History of Nodaway Township, Nodaway County,
MissouriFrom: The History of Nodaway County, Missouri
National Historical Company
St. Joseph, Mo.: 1882

NODAWAY TOWNSHIP.

Nodaway Township is bounded on the north by Atchison and Union Townships, on the east by Union and Polk Townships,
on the south by Polk and Green Townships, and on the west by Green and Lincoln Townships.

On March 29, 1871, occurred the following order of court, establishing and defining the boundaries of Nodaway Township:

Ordered, That a new municipal township be established and located out of Green and Atchison Townships, commencing
at the Nodaway River at a point where the township line dividing townships 66 and 65 crosses the said Nodaway River,
thence east on said line to the northeast corner of township 65, range 36, thence running south three miles, thence
running west four miles, thence running south three miles to the township line between township 64 and 65, thence
running west on said line to the Nodaway River, thence north with the meanderings of said river to the place of
beginning; and it is further ordered by the court, that the voting precinct be designated at the C. W. Hardesty
residence, in said township.

Subsequently a strip of the east end of Nodaway Township, two miles from east to west and three miles from north
to south, was taken off from territory originally belonging to Nodaway and attached to Union Township.

PHYSICAL FEATURES.

Nodaway Township lies in the eastern portion of the Nodaway Valley, and rises gently from the river eastward.
The southern portion of the township slopes a little toward the south, and a divide or watershed runs clear through
the northern portion of the township from east to west. Muddy Creek, Kihoga Creek and Carken Branch empty into
the Nodaway River from the east, Sand Creek and Florida Creek had in the southern portion of the township, and
the southern branch of Clear Creek finds a part of its sources in the northeastern portion of the township. Along
the Nodaway River, in Nodaway Township, are found several lakes, some of them being old beds of the river, and
others arising from depressions in the land. In the eastern portion of the township there is a watershed dividing
the waters of Clear Creek from those of Sand Creek. The sources of these two water courses approach within forty
rods of each other.

There is considerable timber in the north and northeastern portions of the township, and also. along the Nodaway
River. Some stone quarries are found along the Nodaway. The land in the western and southern portions of the township
is gently rolling, and is counted among the best in the county, while the land in the northern and northeastern
portion of the township is considerably rolling, and in places might be termed rough.

EARLY SETTLERS.

Among the earliest pioneers in Nodaway Township was Levi Martin, who came in 1842, and entered the claim on
which Burlington Junction now stands. In the same year, John Shepherd settled on an adjoining farm, a little south
of him, just across the branch. Jesse Roberts, Mr. Thomas and his son, John Thomas, took claims about a mile west,
and a little south of Mr, Martin's. Joseph Hough, at a very early day, entered the claim at Corkin's Spring, and
John Clark, father of W. Clark, bought out his interests in March, 1849.

THE OHIO SETTLEMENT.

In 1856, Mr. J. H. Ware, Sr., came from Chillicothe, Ohio, and took a claim near Burlington Junction. Mr. Ware
was formerly prosecuting attorney of Ross County, Ohio. Col. John Davis came soon after and bought out the claim
of Levi Martin. He afterward sold his farm and went to Kansas. Thomas Corkin took a claim in 1862 about two miles
northwest of where Burlington Junction now stands. Shadrick Cole and his son in law, Wm. H. Franklin, took claims
two miles south of Burlington Junction. About that time Shadrick Cole took a claim two miles south and a little
west of them, near the Nodaway River. Austin Jones and Wm. B. Sunderland settled half a mile northwest of where
Burlington Junction now stands, near each other. Thomas Fields, Mr. Sunderland's son in law, settled on Jones'
land and lives there still. Wm. Jones, the father of Austin Jones, a man who is well remembered for his amiability,
spent his time between Nodaway County and Atchison County. He died about sixteen years ago, and was buried in the
cemetery near Burlington Junction. James Mitchel settled near Austin Jones, one mile north of Burlington Junction.
Dr. Myers came nearly at the some time, and took a claim in the Nodaway River Valley. He still lives in Burlington
Junction. Soon afterward came George Wilson, and took a claim two miles north of Burlington Junction, on the lowest
terrace of the river. Jesse Walker built a residence one half mile south of Burlington Junction, his farm adjoining
the town. There were some forty families in the Ohio settlement, who came from the middle southern portion of Ohio.
The Ohio settlement was composed of men who possessed thrift and energy, and they opened and improved some of the
finest farms in Nodaway County. Ohio farmers have always been characterized by intelligence and enterprise, and
this settlement did not lose any of these characteristics in settling in the Nodaway Valley. Many of their farms
are still under a high state of cultivation, and their houses, fences, orchards, farm implements, and live stock
all indicate that they have kept abreast of the improvements of the age.

When the Wabash Railroad was built through the county in 1879, the people predicted that a town would grow up
in the Nodaway Valley at some point where the railroad crossed it. Acting under this impression, a town was laid
out one half a mile east of the Nodaway River, at the crossing of the old survey of the Chicago, Burlington and
Quincy Railroad with the Wabash, St. Louis and Pacific Railroad. This town was first called Lewiston, for President
Lewis, of the Wabash Road. It was afterward changed to Cleveland by the people of the Ohio colony, because there
was another Lewiston in Missouri, and they could not secure another post office with the same name. Cleveland grew
rapidly until it contained about forty buildings. But when the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad made a final
survey, they crossed the Wabash one half a mile east of this point, on the farm of Colonel Davis, and at this point
there grew up the town of Burlington Junction.

In 1842, Levi Martin entered a claim and settled on the land on which Burlington Junction now stands. He lived
there about eighteen years, engaged in agricultural pursuits, and then sold out to Colonel John Davis, whose son,
William H. Davis, still lives on a part of the same claim. When Colonel Davis emigrated to Chelsea, Butler County,
Kansas, he sold his farm to his son, William H. Davis, and his son in law, Edwin Caldwell. Davis and Caldwell,
October 20, 1879, sold their interests to the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Town Company, composed of the railroad
company, William H. Davis and Charles Caldwell, who surveyed and platted the town July 1, 1879. The first lots
were sold July 3, 1879.

The first firm doing business in the town was George H. Hotaling & Co. They were lumber dealers.

Clarence Andrews, son of James Andrews, of Maryville, hauled the first load of lumber from Maryville to Burlington
Junction.

Wheeler Brothers erected the first business house, commencing it. July 5, 1879, and July 24, 1879, sold the first
goods in the town.

The next building was erected by D. Bailey, who opened a restaurant.

The next building was put up by Logan & Messick for general merchandise. They sold their first goods in Burlington
Junction July 27, 1879.

Two drug stores were built about this time, by S. J. Butcher & Co. and J. N. Penn & Son.

After this, numerous other buildings were put up with such rapidity, that on January 1, 1879, there were over one
hundred buildings erected or in process of construction.

The Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad opened the first railroad office in Burlington Junction,' October
9, 1879. The first train came in on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, October 20th 1879. A car load
of grain was shipped October 22, 1879, and shipments followed rapidly, business being very active.

Burlington Junction, located at the junction of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy and the Kansas City and Nodaway
Valley Railroads, and at their crossing of the main line of the Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific Railroad, also
near the junction of the Clarinda Branch with the main line of the Wabash, possesses very fine railroad facilities.
The town is located on a fine roll of land which gives the observer a most beautiful prospect. The Nodaway Valley
sweeps down from the north unfolding its rich alluvial lands beneath one's feet, and the Nodaway River meanders
through the valley fringed with trees on either side, which, at the present writing, display those rich autumnal
hues characteristic of American forests, for which they are so justly celebrated. The river bluffs play an important
part in the economy of nature, and exert a powerful influence upon the people dwelling on the great central plains
of the North American continent. Nature exerts a molding influence on any people, and those peoples living on hilly
and mountainous districts have always developed the highest and best traits in man. The fine arts found their home
in Greece, and the Canton sprang up amidst the Alps. The river bluffs are the opposing forces which nature places
in these central plains to lift man above a dead level - to develop within him a love of the beautiful in nature,
and to quicken the highest and best aspirations of his being.

Among the rivers of Missouri, the Nodaway - the Indian term for placid - has justly been celebrated for its bluffs,
its rich pastoral lands, and its noble forests. And perhaps no town situated in the Nodaway Valley has more picturesque
scenery than Burlington Junction. It has been justly admired by every traveler, and the image remains in the mind
long after the view has disappeared from the vision.

The first marriage in Burlington Junction occurred May 17, 1880, when Mr. A. J. Smith and Miss Hester Saffell
were united in bonds of wedlock by 'Squire Harris. Twins, a boy and girl, were born to Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Wilcox,
August 31, 1879, the first birth that occurred in Burlington Junction. The first death was that of Martin Edward
Hogan, local editor of the Burlington Junction Post, who was shot by Otto Sharp, October 9, 1879. He died twelve
hours after he was shot. Hogan was a deputy constable, and was shot while arresting Sharp. Hogan was originally
from Terre Haute, Indiana. The circumstances of this sad affair are given elsewhere in this book, under the head
of the "Hogan Homicide and Otto Sharp Trial."

The bridge west of Burlington Junction, across the Nodaway River, is built of the best of oak, and is 211 feet
long. It was erected at a cost of $2,000, and has proved to be of great benefit to the merchants of Burlington
Junction.

Burlington Junction is situated in one of the richest and most fertile valleys in the State, and in population,
railroad connections, business interests, healthfulness and beauty of situation, it offers attractions to be considered
by all immigrants, who are seeking new homes in the Nodaway Valley.

This church was first organized in the spring of 1861, with C. H. Lavis and family, Thomas Casken and family,
Miss Hetten Westfall (who is now the wife of Samuel Casken), and Mrs. Hopsinger as the original members. The services
were held in alog school house located in section to, one mile northeast of the present location of Burlington
Junction, till the erection of the present church building, in 1876. Before the organization of this church, services
were held at intervals at different houses, by Revs. John R. Chamberlain and Buren. Since the organization the
following ministers have officiated: Revs. Clemmons, Beggs, Morehead, Brookman, Hacket, Bishop, Cauley, Shelley,
Canden, Shivington and Edmond, the present pastor. The church building is a frame structure, which cost $2,500,
and was dedicated in 1876, by Rev. Benjamin St. James Fery, of St. Louis. Present membership, 108 members.

ST. BENEDICT CATHOLIC CHURCH.

The organization of this church occurred April 1, 1880. At the time of the organization there were between fifty
and sixty members. Father Adelhem dedicated the church. The church property is valued at about $1,500. Father Martin
is pastor of the church at the present time.

The name and number of the lodge was changed from Burlington Junction Lodge U. D., to Burlington Lodge No. 442.
The present membership is 36, with a bright prospect in the future - being in good condition financially, and having
energetic and enterprising men as members. Them hold regular communications Saturday evenings on or before each
full moon.

The present membership is Ito. The lodge has done a good work in Burlington Junction and vicinity. All new towns
pass through that peculiar phase of society which prevails for a time along the borders of advancing civilization,
the period when the saloon and its votaries seem to give complexion to society. Like all new towns, Burlington
Junction has not been free from these things. Seldom, however, is a young man, a citizen of the town, now known
to be drunk. Drunkenness and the discharge of fire arms in the suburbs of the city, come from outsiders, who go
to town for a spree. Burlington Junction is becoming known as a city of good morals, and much of this is due to
the faithful work of the Good Templars.

BURLINGTON JUNCTION LODGE NO. 404, I. O. O. F.

This lodge was organized February 24, 1881, and chartered May 19, 1881. The following are the names of the charter
members: Fred. R. Nourse, I. B. Chrissinger, James Evans, Frank Hubbell, C. C. Neighbors, George Hungate, J. H.
Ware, Jr., William Chambers and J. F. Gregory.

The following are the names of the present officers: William Chambers, N. G.; William M. Clark, V. G.; Will C.
Charles, R. S.; J. W. Jones, P, S., and J. T. Anderson, Treasurer. The present membership of this lodge numbers
forty eight. The lodge is in a prosperous condition.

is situated one mile east of Burlington Junction. It is the junction of the Wabash, St. Louis and Pacific Railroad
with the Clarinda Branch. The station house is well arranged for the comfort of travelers.

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